Comic Book Preview: 3/20/13 – Bronies and Dredd Heads Rejoice!

Imagine for a moment the ability to see into the future; to know what will be coming out on the comic book stands before they even hit; to know which covers will make you throw up or jump for joy. You’re in luck, Adventures in Poor Taste’s weekly comic book preview is here and we’ll be your time machine, bitches.

Dave’s Cover of the Week

Judge Dredd Year One #1

Greg Staples

Dave: Well this just about captures everything that is cool about Dredd. From the epic bike, to the cool confidence in his posture all the way up to the epic monstrosity of a city. To cap it off it’s all done in a gloriously realistic way. Love it.

Brendan: The scale and the detail shine bright on this grim cityscape. I could probably stare at this cover for hours and never get bored. And throughout it all Dredd still has that damned grimace on his face. Well done, Staples.

Brendan’s Cover of the Week

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #105

Dave Johnson

Brendan: I didn’t even see the friggin’ hate-monster in the background the first time I saw this cover. I’m also crazy about the prints on the coffins. Those things along with the excellent composition and fantastic color choices make for a primetime comic cover.

Dave: The BPRD covers are always to die for, hehe get it, and that’s partly due to the complex composition. It’s necessary partly because they need to tell the viewer a story right there on the cover instead of selling you on some over popularized superhero. Great stuff once again.

Brendan’s Honorable Mentions

Conan the Barbarian # 14

Massimo Carnevale

Brendan: That’s one damn fine lady in red! It’s very rare to find a Conan cover that I don’t like. There is an ominous heat that resonates from this cover and I’m totally into it. I love the contrast between the red woman, her castle, and the cold blue men standing behind her.

Dave: Jessica Biel is that you? Love the shot the wall took right there next to the woman which helps convey there’s danger so very close to this very unprotected looking woman.

Elephantmen #47

Camille D’Errico

Brendan: I just love the color choices more than anything. The character is super-cute and well drawn but damn, those color contrasts are just eye catching.

Dave: Whoa that is one neat looking helmet. I think the flower petals help bring this one home for me. That said I’m at a loss for what is going on.

My Little Pony Micro Series #2

Amy Mebberson

Brendan: There isn’t enough MLP love on our weekly cover critique. There’s a pretty decent sense of speed on this cover. I love the cocksure dedication on Rainbow Dash’s face as she rockets through the speed barrier.

Dave: I’d love to know what Mebberson used for colors. It looks like watercolor but I can’t tell. Oil pastels?

Dave’s Honorable Mentions

All Crime #1

Bruce Timm

Dave: I don’t know if this is a re release or what, it originally came out last year but appeared on the release list this week, but damn do I love this cover. Bruce Timm has an incredible ability to draw curvaceous women in a sexy yet cartoony way. It’s original and striking every time.

Brendan: Bruce Timm knows how to make the misshapen cartoon ladies simmer with sexiness. I enjoy the realistic shading of our damsel vs the stoic coloring of the blue gentleman in the doorway.

Grimm Fairy Tales Jungle Book Last of the Species #2 (of 5) (Cover A – Cha)

Ken Cha

Dave: Gratuitous ass shot aside, damn is this cover composed mightily. The cave and the odd color streaking it help convey just how giant that bear is. It’s an epic scene incredibly well composed drawing the viewer’s eye in just the right way.

Brendan: See, this is when the butt shots are A-ok. It’s because it honestly isn’t the focus of the cover, just some kind of collateral. That bear is effing epic and the colorful swirl blend is top notch.

WTF? Category

Where we don’t understand, are insulted by or would rather stab our eyes with acid pops than look at these covers for various reasons.

Superior Spider-Man #6

Humberto Ramos

Dave: So this is a good example of composition sucking it up. Not only is this boring as all hell, it’s confusing as to where my eye should be flowing. It’s a messy way to articulate something funny and it fails. Hard.

Brendan: Gonna have to agree with Dave on this one. Even after a few minutes of study I barely get what what this cover is trying to convey. It also doesn’t help that our jesters look more pained than hysterical.

Wonderland #9 (Cover A – Sejic)

Stjepan Sejic

Dave: Sejic is a favorite here on the previews, but what is going on with that chicks ass? It’s tilted way too far so as to allow us a peek, but I don’t think the human body is supposed to look so twisted.

Brendan: Any faint excuse of perspective is pathetic for this gatuitous booty shot. Aside from the odd contortion this cover is pretty damned good looking, I love the colors, especially.

Soulfire Vol. 4 #4 (Cover A – Debalfo)

Mike Debalfo

Dave: That woman’s vagina is touching dead bodies. Carry on.

Brendan: Like you’ve never wanted to plop your naked rump on a throne of corpses. Grow up. Dave.

Popeye # 11

Mitch O’Connell

Brendan: I don’t think in the history of Popeye anyone has ever wanted this to occur. It somehow makes the misshapen Popeye/Olive Oyl dynamic that much creepier.

Dave: Good lord look at the phallic kneecaps on jacked Olive Oyl. I get the idea behind this cover but it unnerves me for all the reasons Brendan articulated.

Comics Being Released This Week

This is a cleaned up list via ComicList.com. Comic availability subject to change.